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History 

Of The 

Association 

Rifle 

Company 



Cleveland Ohio 



Copyright 1912 by T. T. Long 



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FOREWORD 




F you want history to be inter- 
esting — make it yourself. 

The contents of these few pages 
will hold but little interest for 
other than, perhaps, a hundred 
odd fellows, now scattered widely apart. 

The review of the old days before we 
had begun the accumulation of wrinkles, and 
before we had made many of our mistakes, 
is dear to our memory — for were we not 
essential to its completeness? 

The memory of those days contains 
many varieties of experience, not here re- 
corded. We recall the pride of uniform 
and flawless accoutrement en parade*, the 
thrills of satisfaction in competitive drill for 
promotion; the glow of conscious individ- 
uahty that came with the warrant and to 
wear the sword; the cultivation of gruff - 
ness — for military style in issuing com- 
mands; the sense of responsibility carried 
when alone on guard after midnight. Yes — 
the memories are intensely personal. 



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CAPTAIN JOSEPH C. BEARDSLEY 



Eighteen years have worked many 
changes in the group that answered the 
original call. 1898 brought the national call 
for military service — and effectually satis- 
fied the martial craving — an appropriate 
finish for the old Company. 

Each year, there meets the remnant of 
the old "Rifles" to renew associations, to 
keep informed of the changes among the 
absentees and to provide Memorial Day re- 
membrance for those who have been 
"mustered out." 

So closes the story of an enterprise 
whose only right to be made "history" lies 
in this — after sixteen years there are a 
hundred men whose handshake is closer 
when they meet or whose blood cockles 
warm up when one of the old boys goes by — 
they are comrades. 

JOSEPH G. BEARDSLEY, 

W. H. KINNICUTT, 

W. J. GRAHAM, 

J. H. BAGON, 

T. T. LONG, Ghairman, 

Gommittee on 
Gompany History. 



History of the Association 
Rifle Company 



(First Installment.) 



Read at the first annual meeting, Jan. 8, 1895, 
by the Company Historian, Lieut. Dudley A. Smith, 
Surgeon. 

Late in the year 1893, Secretary Shurt- 
leff of the Cleveland Y. M. C. A. suggested 
the advisability of making military drill a 
feature of Gymnasium work. Accordingly 
a notice was inserted in "Cleveland's Young 
Men" to the effect that applications might be 
made to physical director James Graham of 
the Gymnasium. A large number of young 
men appHed and in January, '94, a meeting 
was called to organize a company, at which 
one hundred and thirty were present. 

Joseph C. Beardsley, late Lieutenant, 
U. S. A., having been persuaded by Mr. E. W. 
Palmer to take charge of the company, at- 
tended this meeting and, under his direction, 
the organization! was accompHshed. The 
officers of the company selected at this time 
were temporary and were as follows: 
J. C. Beardsley, Gapt.; F. L. Hayes, act- 



ing First Sergeant; Messrs. Wm. Hamil- 
ton, Frank Heslip, Hy Chakijian, R. L. 
Kennan, W. F. Herringshaw, W. J. Gra- 
ham, Frank Pelton and Walter Norton, 
acting Sergeants. At this time no defi- 
nite plan was entertained for the future of 
the company, and no one expected it to de- 
velop in one short year into the organiza- 
tion as we see it to-day. Very soon after 
the company commenced to drill, the agi- 
tation for uniforms began, and in May the 
men made their first appearance in their neat 
gray West Point uniforms. 

The first pubhc appearance of the com- 
pany was on June 3, when they attended 
military service at Epworth Memorial 
church as guests of the Fifth Regiment, O. 
N. G., and very favorable pubhc comment 
was excited. 

The call for equipment soon grew ur- 
gent, as a rifle company without rifles was 
considered about as effective as the Chinese 
ammunition in the recent war. According- 
ly rifles were obtained, and on July 4 the 
company made its second pubhc appearance 
in the grand civic and mihtary parade, the 
occasion being the dedication of the Cuya- 
hoga County Soldiers' and Sailors' Monu- 
ment. It was at this time that the company 
really had its first introduction to the pub- 
hc, and surprise was expressed on all sides 
at the splendid showing made by "the 
infants." Following this came the excur- 
sion to Put-in-Ray, August 16, under the 



auspices of the company. It was indeed 
a gala day, and so far as I am aware it is the 
only gorgeous and glittering success that 
lights the dark and dreary pathway of our 
financial failures. Shades of Zogbaum de- 
fend us! 

I must now record the most important 
event thus far in the history of the com- 
pany: the first camp, which was pitched 
August 18, 1894, at Beach Cliff, Ohio, was 
named Camp Dorothy Beardsley in honor 
of the pet of the company, the captain's 
child. The writer was not in camp, but if 
all the reports of those who were can be 
relied upon (which I doubt) a "huge time" 
is the only thing that will express it. It was 
found that Quarter Master Sergeant Long 
could soak hard tack and borrow milk from 
neighboring farm houses with neatness and 
despatch, and in all his foraging, it is re- 
ported he was received with open arms — 
by the hired girl. Assistant Q. M. S., A. H. 
Smith was ever at his heels, and smeared 
himself with glory in proportion to his po- 
sition. The guard house had no terrors, as 
the daily papers were all on file there, and 
reading them was considered an easy job. 
It was a little perilous, however, to draw 
water from the raging lake, and some few 
had their new uniforms, together with their 
ardor, badly dampened. Private E. W. 
Briggs demonstrated the fact that a little 
man can create a large sized rumpus with 
the Corporal's Guard, and he challenged the 
attention of the visiting ladies in camp with 



the same reckless abandon that character- 
ized the challenging of the ferocious horse. 
All in all the camp was a success, and many 
pleasant memories hnger about it. 

While in the midst of the enjoyment of 
camp hfe the men were startled and a cloud 
of gloom thrown over them by the news of 
the sudden and awful death of Sergeant Wm. 
Hamilton, who was killed while en route to 
camp, at the Detroit St. crossing of the Lake 
Shore tracks. Death at any time is sad, but 
when a young man of twenty-three, well and 
strong, of sterhng character and unbound- 
ed ambition, is ruthlessly cut down, dull 
words fail and the anguish in the hearts 
of his friends can alone be felt, not ex- 
pressed. Sergeant Hamilton was killed on 
Saturday, Aug. 18, and the Monday follow- 
ing his sorrowing comrades took charge of 
the funeral ceremonies, conducting them 
according to military regulations, it being 
the first strictly military funeral ever oc 
curing in the city of Cleveland. 

The second Sunday in October the com- 
pany accepted the invitation of Chaplain 
Wilson R. Stearley to attend services at his 
church in a body. This was the fifth ap- 
pearance of the company, and soon after, 
on the 18th of October, they appeared on 
parade upon the occasion of the laying -of 
the corner-stone of the new National Guard 
Armory. This was also the first appearance 
of the Trumpet and Drum Corps. The 
speed with which this auxiliary to the com- 



pany was organized and trained, under the 
efficient management of chief trumpeter 
Chas. Ghopp, was marvelous; for within two 
weeks after its inception the trumpet and 
drum corps escorted the company in pa- 
rade, and both company and corps received 
the highest praise along the entire line of 
march. It is doubtful if any organization 
in the line received more applause, and from 
that day the Association Rifle Company, in 
the judgement of the pubhc and of mihtary 
men, has stood in the front rank of Cleve- 
land's military organizations. 

I must not fail to record the forced 
march of Thanksgiving morning, in which 
the company gained valuable experience in 
extended order drill, scouting and skirmish 
work. 

On New Year's day the company re- 
ceived in uniform at the association recep- 
tion, and gave an exhibition drill at six 
o'clock. The last appearance of the com- 
pany in uniform was upon Friday night, 
January 4, when they attended the Gray's 
Circus and received as much attention as 
the clowns. 

For an organization only one year old, 
the Association Rifle Company challenges 
the country to produce its equal. Their pro- 
gress in mastering the drill regulations is 
such that they are ready to give pointers 
to many older organizations at any time. 
Too much credit cannot be given to the 



efficient commandant of the company, 
Captain Beardsley, for it has been mainly 
due to his untiring efforts and his proficien- 
cy in mihtary matters gained, as an officer 
in the regular army, that the rapid progress 
of the company has been made possible. 

If the extraordinary accomplishments 
of the company's first year form any cri- 
terion from which to judge its future, we 
can come to but one conclusion, — that the 
Association Rifle Company is bound to be- 
come the crack military organization of 
Greater Cleveland. 



History of the Association 
Rifle Company 



(Second Installment.) 



Read at the second annual meeting of the com- 
pany, at the Forest City House, Cleveland, by the 
Company Historian, Lieutenant Dudley A. Smith. 
Surgeon, January 14th, 1896. 

We are here again tonight to hold the 
second annual meeting of the Association 
Rifle Company. The first year, the History 
of which was read one year ago, was an 
eventful one, and marked by much progress 
in the affairs of the company. The year 
just closed furnishes as many and as impor- 
tant events for the Historian to record as its 
predecessor. 

Death has once again entered our ranks 
and by his bhghting hand we have lost an 
able officer, one to whom every member of 
the Company was ever pleased to render 
obedience. Lieutenant Fitzhugh Lee Hayes, 
died at Charity Hospital, this city, of typhoid 
fever, on Feb'y. 18th., 1895, just six months 
after the tragic death of Serg't. Wilham 
Hamilton, which occurred August 18th, 



1894. Lieut. Hayes was loved by every man 
in the company and the sentiment of all was 
expressed by one who remarked to the 
writer recently: "I have never ceased to miss 
Hayes. His disposition was genial, he was 
popular, bright, and always on the alert for 
an opportunity to do something for the good 
of the company. His loss has been most 
keenly felt and I am pleased to have this 
opportunity to pay this tribute to his mem- 
ory." 

On Monday, February 25th., Lieut. 
Hayes was buried with military honors at 
St. John's Cemetery. Chaplain Stearly con- 
ducted impressive services at the house; the 
remains were then taken to St. John's Cathe- 
dral, and from there to the cemetery on an 
artillery caisson. 

On March 25th, 1895, the Company par- 
ticipated in a Batallion drill at the Gray's 
Armory with the companies of the 5th Reg- 
iment, 0. N. G. On this occasion with Cap- 
tain Beardsley in command, the Company 
added materially to the laurels already won. 
They were highly comphmented by the In- 
specting Officer, Gapt. Munson, U. S. A., who 
said he had never before seen arms and ac- 
courtrements in as good condition outside 
the regular army. 

In April the suggestion was made that 
instead of the regular summer camp, the 
company go to Springfield, Mass., in May 
and camp there during the International 
Convention of the Y. M. C. A. The proposi- 



tion was enthusiastically received, and it was 
decided to carry it out. After much prehm- 
inary planning, the work of preparation was 
begun, and on the morning of the 17th day 
of May, 1895, the start was made, the route 
being by way of the Pennsylvania Lines to 
New York, and the New York, New Haven 
& Hartford, from New York to Springfield. 
Much of the beautiful scenery of the Penn- 
sylvania mountain region was observed by 
moonlight, by those who could not sleep — 
and they semed to be in the majority. Ar- 
riving at Harrisburg the company was trans- 
ferred to the scond section of the train and 
Mrs. Beardsley, who was in the sleeper of 
the first section, went on without an escort. 
The fear that his wife would get tangled up 
and lost along the sidewalks of New York 
nearly drove the Captain frantic; but hap- 
pily she was discovered at the station calmly 
awaiting the arrival of section No. 2, and all 
was well. 

From New York, the route to Spring- 
field was over the New York, New Haven & 
Hartford R. R., and the beauties of this ride 
by daylight was a source of continual sur- 
prise and enjoyment to the Buckeyes, many 
of whom had never before been beyond the 
confines of their native State. Arriving at 
Springfield the Company proceeded directly 
to the spot selected for its camp, which was 
on Belmont Ave. on the heights at the sou- 
thern edge of the city, overlooking the valley 
of the beautiful and majestic Connecticut 
River. 



The Blue laws of Massachusetts were 
rendered a still deeper dyed blue, by the re- 
marks of the rank and file of the company 
when it was learned that they would not be 
allowed to carry their arms within the state. 
This was indeed a hard blow; but, with char- 
acteristic soldierly resignation, the boys pro- 
ceeded to forget it and turned in for a good 
time, despite the restrictions placed upon 
them by the Yankee legislators, and no more 
enjoyable days were ever spent by the com- 
pany than while in Camp "O. O. Howard" at 
Springfield in the spring of 1895. 

It should be stated here that the As- 
sociation Trumpet and Drum Corps, under 
the direction of Chief Trumpeter Chopp, 
added much to the enjoyment of camp life. 
On the first night after arrival in Spring- 
field, this bunch, numbering 24 men in 
all, proceeded to Union Armory where 
Company K, Massachusetts National Guard, 
was drilling. After serenading the company, 
it was arranged that the musicians should 
lead the company in a short parade through 
some of the principal streets of Springfield, 
and out Belmont Ave., to the headquarters of 
the Association Rifles. The boys in camp 
got wind of the fact that Company K was 
on its way to pay their respects, and tired as 
they were, tumbled out of their tents at the 
order to "fall in," pulling on their uniforms 
as they came hobbling into place in "com- 
pany front" to receive their visitors. When 
within a few feet of the company front of 
the Rifles,. Company K in command of Ser- 





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geant Anderson gave the command to "halt," 
and scarcely had they stopped in their march 
when three rousing cheers from the Rifle 
Company members greeted them. Three 
answering cheers from the Springfield boys 
broke the ice, and at the command to break 
ranks, both companies separated themselves 
into small groups and in that cordial fash- 
ion of mihtary men, proceeded to get ac- 
quainted. Later the Springfield boys re- 
turned to their armory well pleased with 
their novel experience. 

The location of Camp "O. 0. Howard" 
was superb. As remarked before, the camp 
was located on the heights at the southern 
edge of the city, overlooking both the city 
and the valley of the Connecticut River. On 
the highest point, facing Relmont Ave., was 
the guard tent, and near it was the flag staff 
from which the stars and stripes floated. 
To the left of the guard tent, extending di- 
rectly north, were the company tents, with 
the cook's tents at right angles with the fine. 
Across the drill field were the officers' quar- 
ters, making nineteen tents in all. 

One of the most amusing features of the 
camp life, but which struck terror to the 
hearts of the natives, was the Indian ghost 
dance. The boys would array themselves 
with blankets and clubs, and then execute 
the dance around the camp-fire, keeping 
time to the wild, weird music peculiar to the 
Indians. These dances were given every ev- 
ening, the visitors keeping well in the back- 



ground, preferring not to run the risk of be- 
ing scalped. 

Some of the tents were named "Pride 
of Cleveland," "Mystic Shrine," "EHte," 
"Wild and Wooly West," and of course, a 
"Trilby" tent. 

The only disappointment to the boys 
during their whole stay was that they could 
not use their guns in drill or on parade 
while in the State, being forbidden by the 
aforesaid blue laws of the State of Massa- 
chusetts which prohibits the bearing of 
arms by any company from out of the 
State. Other illustrations of the puritanical 
foolishness are, the law against using parlor 
matches, another which makes it a crime to 
cross certain bridges with a lighted cigar or 
pipe. 

"Running the guard" was one of the 
popular sports of camp life frequently in- 
dulged in. Dwight Connor and Al Vaupel 
were invariably caught, and then sentenced 
to policing camp next day. This duty on 
the part of these two comedians furnished 
the onlookers with as good vaudeville en- 
tertainment as one would care to see during 
the life of the camp. 

A ball game of two innings between 
the Rifles and the Trumpeters, resulted in a 
score of 13 to 1 in favor of the Trumpeters. 
It is rumored that Umpire Vaupel pushed 
the score to these uneven proportions, by en- 
forcing his decisions with an axe, a sword 
and two revolvers. 



Mr. S. P. Fenn, the President of the As- 
sociation, with his good wife, visited the 
camp one day and their visit was of the sort 
that leaves a good taste in the mouth, for, 
during their stay a box of oranges marked 
"from Mr. and Mrs. S. P. Fenn," was deUv- 
ered to the Quartermaster's Department 
with their good wishes. 

On the morning of the 13th, camp was 
broken and the homeward trip begun. The 
signs the boys pilfered, the pow wows held, 
the hearts they broke, and the hearts that 
were broken, (and the fellows who were 
"broke") will furnish subject matter for 
reminiscences for many moons to come. It 
was the unanimous verdict that no more 
perfect camp life was ever enjoyed by a 
military company, and a vow was regis- 
tered in every heart to keep green the 
memory of Camp "O. O. Howard." The 
company arrived in Cleveland on May 14th. 
just one week after their departure for the 
East. 

Early in the morning of May 14th the 
first actual engagement participated in by 
the company was fought. The train bear- 
ing the soldiers stopped at Lancaster, Pa., 
for a few minutes, and mighty deeds were 
done. The sleeping population of that little 
city slumbered on in peaceful ignorance of 
the battle. A noble Indian brave had been 
left to guard the destinies of the city, as well 
as to keep watch of the stock in trade of a 
Kttle cigar store (in front of which he was 



stationed) and the neighboring signs along 
the street. The boys wanted signs for sou- 
venirs, the brave protested and the battle 
was fought. Nobody was killed, but the 
entire force of the enemy was made a 
prisoner and was borne aloft on the shoul- 
ders of the conquerers to the baggage car. 
Chagrined over his capture. Poor Lo pined 
away and died before the train reached 
Cleveland; but, not wishing to lose the proof 
of such signal victory, his body was em- 
balmed and preserved in the Armory where 
he now occupies a prominent position, bring- 
ing afresh to the minds of the boys ever and 
anon, the event of the battle of Lancaster, 
Pa. 

The trip to Springfield has borne fruit. 
Already the Associations in Memphis, Ev- 
ans ville, Augusta, Ga. and other cities have 
organized military companies, and innum- 
erable inquiries from all over the country 
for information, are being received at the 
office of the Cleveland Association, from As- 
sociations wishing to organize similar com- 
panies. Our company may justly feel proud 
that it is the pioneer of Association military 
companies. 

The "Home Guards," a sorrowful group 
of company members who were left be- 
hind, for various reasons, tendered the com- 
pany an enjoyable banquet on May 17th, 
after their return from Springfield. The 
toasts were numerous and appropriate. 
Chaplain Stearly representing the "stay-at- 



homes" voiced tearfully their regret at their 
inability to accompany the command. 
Trumpeter Connor spoke of the trip en 
route, and the various staff officers added 
their experiences, while Private Jerome and 
Corporal Briggs toasted the ladies, with a 
"God bless 'em" — to the Queen's taste. 

The "Home Guards" banquet was an 
enjoyable finale to an enjoyable excursion. 

The reputation of the Rifles for making 
an excellent showing on parade, was in- 
creased on Decoration Day, 1895, and the 
continuous ovation all along the fine of 
march was well merited. 

June 13th was a great day for the 
Trumpet and Drum Corps, for at the State 
encampment of the G. A. R., held at San- 
dusky, it was chosen from among a dozen 
different musical organizations in attend- 
ance, as the special escort of Gov. McKinley. 
These boys surely know how to "blow them- 
selves" into prominence. 

Financially the Company did well dur- 
ing the year. To be sure, they did not secure 
many dollars by drawing shining Ughts to 
the lecture platform; but the excursion to 
Put-in-Bay was a success, as was also the 
moonhght ride on Lake Erie — at least 
Briggs says the latter was, and Eddie ought 
to know. But the source from which by 
far the largest amount has been reahzed, 
was the membersliip campaign, which was 
instituted and set in hearty motion at the 
first annual banquet of the company, held in 



the gymnasium. The banquet was enjoyed, 
and the impetus given the membership 
campaign, resulted in materially decreas- 
ing the deficit of the company. 

On July 26th at noon, the company 
started for Willoughby for a two days 
"Camp." What wasn't done there is not 
worth setting down. I am not officially 
informed as to the diet, but there are ru- 
mors that it included "canned dog." There 
is no doubt that a prominent place on the 
bill of fare was taken by "creamed chipped 
beef and coffee." 

There was a battle in which three of the 
biggest men in the company were badly de- 
moraHzed and all but routed by three of the 
smallest soldiers in camp — that is if the ht- 
tle fellows can be believed. The big ones 
however "deny the allegation and defy the 
alUgator," and declare that the small ones 
were badly whipped and had to resort to 
cavalry tactics, borrowing a farmer's horse 
without asking and riding tandem into 
camp, a most precipitous retreat. 

One of the most enjoyable features of 
this camp was the bathing in the lake — ^but 
it resulted disastrously in Graham's case. 
One day he was last getting out of the water, 
and after all the others were dressed, by 
some mistake Graham's clothes were mis- 
laid, accidentally of course. After finishing 
his water sports he emerged — to find his 
clothes gone. He immediately charged the 
camp only to find, to his dismay, that visi- 







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tors were there, and of the fair sex too. He 
fled in terror, but no friendly shelter was 
at hand, excepting a scrawny little twelve 
inch shrub upon the beach behind which six 
feet of Graham sought refuge, covered only 
by the light of day and the blue canopy of 
heaven. A friendly blanket squad went to 
his rescue in time for supper. 

The forced march of Thanksgiving day 
was a notable occasion; but the events of the 
night before in the Armory, where the boys 
were assembled, awaiting the dawn of 
Thanksgiving Day, will linger longest in 
their memories. The self -same Graham was 
on guard, arrayed in a "Union" (?) suit of 
blue (underclothes) and side arms. No 
sleep came to the weary eyehds of the cap- 
tain, Lieut. Andrus, nor Quartermaster Long 
on that night. Mr. Oram's little lunch, con- 
sisting of a six course banquet, opening with 
soup and closing with plum pudding, 
pressed too heavily for comfort, and they 
adjourned to the council chamber and wore 
the wee sma' hours away in a friendly game 
of "FU raise you one" or "I go you two bet- 
ter." It is well that the Company attended 
the annual sermon by Chaplain Stearley a 
few weeks before. 

It is proverbial that soldiers shy at water 
when any other beverage is at hand. In 
the field exercises on Thanksgiving Day the 
Captain marched the Company up to a run- 
ning stream, when suddenly Color Sergeant 
Kinnicutt grew faint, showing symptoms of 



hydrophobia, and plaintively exclaimed, "O ! 
Captain ! there's water here ! Captain, 
there's water here!" 

We have had three clubs organized in 
the company within the year. The "Skyhght 
Club" came into existence one summer night 
at Euchd Beach — but it died on the sands of 
that same beach, and no requeim was heard, 
save the murmur of the waves. There was 
a company "Glee Club" organized, which 
probably sung itself to death, as nothing was 
ever heard of them after the first two or 
three rehearsals; but the "Moustache Club" 
is still flourishing and waxes stronger day 
after day. One of its members it is said is 
obhged to keep his pet from sinking into 
"innocuous desuetude" by tying knots in the 
hairs when they come out to drink. Sever- 
al new members are proposed, among them 
our worthy Serg't Smith. 

The election at which Serg't H. L. An- 
drus was chosen 2nd Lieutenant to fill the 
vacancy left by the resignation of Lieut. R. 
L. Kennan, was held October 29th. On Nov. 
1st a Stag Reception at which refreshments 
were served, was held in honor of Lieut. An- 
drus. Since his election he has by his sol- 
dierly bearing and his thoroughness as a 
tactician, proven that he was the man for 
the place. 

The Company Armory is now "a thing 
of beauty and a joy forever!" We are in- 
debted to our friends the ladies, for the dec- 
orations, and we thank them. The rooms 



now present an air of "hominess" and cozi- 
ness which makes them a congenial resort. 

In closing the history of 1895, I wish 
to call upon every man to exert every effort 
to place the company as many steps in ad- 
vance each succeeding year, as during the 
year just closed, and never to stop short 
of the mark already set; to make the Asso- 
ciation Rifle Company the best miUtary or- 
ganization in the city of Cleveland. 



History of the Association 
Rifle Company 



(Third Installment.) 



January 1896 to May 20, 1898, the date of mus- 
ter into the Ohio National Guard as Companies 
B. & I., Fifth Regiment. Compiled by Cap- 
tain Beardsley, Dr. Kinnicutt and T. T. Long and 
read at the Annual Meeting in February, 1910 
by T. T. Long. At this meeting, by unanimous vote 
of the members present, this Committee, with the 
addition of W. J. Graham and J. H. Bacon, was 
instructed to prepare plans for putting into per- 
manent printed form a complete history of the 
Association Rifle Company. At the Annual meet- 
ing in February, 1912, the plans of the Committee 
were approved and they were ordered to print 
such history for distribution. 

The first event of importance follow- 
ing the previous history, was the appoint- 
ment of E. G. Lane as First Lieutenant. 
Lieutenant Lane was secured after a consid- 
erable period of negotiation, from the Fifth 
Regiment, where he had served as the Reg- 
imental Quartermaster. 

At this time the Company numbered 
about seventy men, and examinations of 
men for corporals and sergeancies were 
numerous and frequent. In early February 



written and practical examinations were 
held, followed on February 18th by a large 
number of promotions. 

A school for non-commissioned officers 
was established early in the spring of this 
year 1896, and a study of formation, ex- 
tended order and military tactics was prose- 
cuted vigorously every Tuesday night, until 
the proper degree of efficiency resulted 
among the newly elected officers. 

In May 1896 preparations for the an- 
nual camp were begun. The circular an- 
nouncing this camp reads : 

"1— Pursuant to action taken at a special meet- 
ing of the company held Tuesday, May 12th., the 
following, relative to the annual camp is hereby 
published for the information and guidance of 
the members: 

The Company will go on duty at 12 o'clock 
noon on June 20th, and returning will be dis- 
missed not later than 8 a. m. June 29th at the 
Armory. 

Particulars relative to the nature of the oper- 
ations during camp will be published in later 
orders. 

An assessment of $5.00, payable on or before 
June 15th, will be collected from each member 
of the company. This assessment is payable to 
the Quartermater, and if members so desire may 
be made in installments of not less than $1.00 
each. 

Members who find it impossible to attend camp 
must send excuses to the 1st Sergeant so that they 
will be in his hands not later than June 15th. All 
such excuses will be closely scrutinized and will 
only be accepted when it shall be established be- 



yond doubt, that the member offering it is pre- 
vented from going by illness or business of an 
urgent nature." 

By order of Captain Beardsley: 

(Signed) H. L. Andrus, 2nd Lieut. 
May 20th, 1896. 

The usual Decoration day parade was 
participated in on May 30th by the full 
company. 

On June 16th, full and final orders were 
issued for the nine days field duty and camp 
at Willoughby. 

Order No. 9 reads thus and tells its own 
story: 

"The Company is hereby ordered to assem- 
ble at the Armory Saturday, June 20th, at 12:30 
p. m. for nine days field duty. 

Field uniform will be worn with blanket roll 
containing one pair of blankets, change of under- 
clothing, towels, soap, etc., roll to be made up ac- 
cording to sample on exhibition at the armory. 
A piece of canvass or oilcloth to sleep on may be 
carried if desired. Canteen and haversack will be 
worn with canteen on right and haversack on the 
left side of the body, straps of both to be worn 
under belt. Any form of shoe desired may be 
worn, but it is recommended that members pro- 
vide themselves with a canvass shoe. Arrange- 
ments have been made to supply these at a re- 
duced rate. Belts will contain twenty rounds ef 
blank ammunition. Rifles must be thoroughly 
cleaned and oiled prior to time of assembly. 

Every member of the company will appear 
at the Armory Saturday, June 20th at 12:30 p. m. 
whether excused from field duty or not, to march 
out with the company. 



The Company will camp as follows: Satur- 
day and Sunday evenings near Bedford; Monday 
evening near Geauga Lake; Tuesday evening at 
some point east of the Chagrin river; Wednesday 
near Kirtland, and on Thursday and the following 
days on the lake shore near Willoughby." 

By order of Captain Beardsley: 

(Signed) H. L. Andrus, 2nd Lieut. 

No event in the history of the Company 
is better remembered by its members than 
this practice march with its closing station- 
ary camp at Willoughby on the Lake. Leav- 
ing the Arntory at 12:30 p. m. on Saturday, 
June 20th, the company took the Broadway 
cars to Miles Ave. where they disembarked 
and began their march afoot to Bedford, 
where, upon arrival the grass was cut, and 
the company went into camp for the night. 
The next day camp was made on the picnic 
grounds of Bedford Glens. Guard mount- 
ing, poHcing of camp and the usual camp 
routine with dress parade for the benefit of 
the many visitors from home, was the pro- 
gram for Sunday. 

Monday morning camp was broken, and 
the company was divided into two small 
parties under the command of Sergeants 
Squires and Graham, with instructions to 
proceed against each other, one back from 
the road and skirting the edge of the woods, 
the other following Tinker's Creek to Geau- 
ga Lake where they were to meet, both pa- 
trols scouting for outlying detachments. 
History tells us that Serg't Squires seemed 
to have the better of this contest. 



The Quartermaster's department was 
instructed to proceed by nearest wagon road 
to Geauga Lake, where it was to have supper 
ready for the troops when they should 
arrive. This order was carried out to the 
letter and when the company reached camp 
the cook was ready and waiting. Camp 
was pitched for the night on the shores of 
Geauga Lake. The groans of Private Jones 
can be heard in memory yet, as he bathed 
his bhstered heels in the cool waters of the 
Lake. 

From Geauga Lake the company re- 
sumed its march the following morning, 
starting out as an attacking force. Deploy- 
ing as skirmishers, they maneuvered and at- 
tacked an imaginary position on the top of 
the heights above Chagrin river. 

The third day's march ended at Briar 
Hill, where an important capture was made, 
though it was never definitely learned who 
effected the capture. A sheep was the pris- 
oner, and for supper that night all the com- 
pany shared in the spoils of victory. 

Nature's contribution to the camp at 
Brier Hill was a severe thunderstorm which 
added materially to the joys of guard duty, 
and to the general experience of camp life. 
Even the scorned "pup tents" were sought 
with unwonted appreciation that night. It 
is recorded however that Squires and Som- 
mers got their "tootseys" wet. A church 
strawberry ice cream festival in the imme- 
diate neighborhood afforded diversion in the 



early evening, and the antics of several of 
the company's comedians who attended, en- 
livened the program for the country-folk. 

From Brier Hill the next day to Wil- 
loughby, was a forced march of 18 miles, 
the longest walk on record by the company. 
Plaintive appeals to the housewives of the 
countryside, brought many delicacies in the 
shape of pies, newly made; cookies, dough- 
nuts, etc. "Please dear kind lady have you 
any pie" and 

''Hallelujah! on the bum, bum. 
Hallelujah! again! 
Hallelujah! Give us a hand-out, 
To revive us again.** 

echoed throughout the camp and at com- 
pany drills for weeks after this memorable 
day. Willoughbj^-on-the-Lake was reached 
in due time, where camp was pitched for 
the remaining three days of the period. 

Numerous are the recollections of this 
camp. Of course every man has his stories. 
The Quartermaster's department came in for 
alternate blessings and — other things. Mem- 
ory brings back a confused picture of base- 
ball games, Sunday services, rifle practice, 
water sports, guard running, and other 
games such as tiddlety winks, or was it "give 
me three cards — O ! the devil." 

A bright spot to the very few was one 
particular game in which Color Serg't Kin- 
nicutt, just to be a good fellow, and to show 
that there were no hard feelings, "butted 
into" a little game; he took a hand and mod- 



estly drawing one card, stayed until only the 
sphynx-faced Captain opposed him. Finally 
there being nothing left (in sight) but the 
blue sky, he and the captain compared as- 
sets. The sum total of the captain's hand 
computed 28 while two blond and two bru- 
nette fairies in novice's hand produced 
consternation to the entire group. At last 
reports the accounts had not been satisfac- 
torily adjusted. It is beheved by some that 
upon this occasion was born the "Airship 
Club" which in after days (or nights) was 
often disturbed in its nocturnal devotions by 
the incursions of the watchful building su- 
perintendent. 

Speaking of this Willoughby camp, pri- 
vate Cormier says he received more notice 
from being just an ordinary private than if 
he had been a commissioned officer, because 
whenever there was any work to be done he 
happened to be the only private within gun- 
shot, and no sooner was one task com'pleted 
than some Corporal, Sergeant or staff offi- 
cer would immediately detail him for 
another job. His explanation was that there 
was about ten petty officers to one private in 
camp. His fondness for real snakes was his 
greatest faiUng, and this hking nearly cost 
him his freedom more than once. A par- 
ticularly bright colored specimen which he 
used for a hat band always threw consterna- 
tion into the ranks at mess. He narrowly 
escaped being mobbed so often that he was 
finally forced to part company with Mr. Gar- 
ter. 



Lawson's night cap, tied daintily under his 
cMn with white ribbons, created considera- 
ble commotion for barely a minute one 
night. Scarcely sixty seconds elapsed before 
it suffered the same fate as Jerome's night- 
shirt at Gamp Dorothy Beardsley and every 
member of the company had a portion of 
the cap as a souvenir. 

During the time the Company was in 
camp at Willoughby, a dance was "on" up 
town. Squires had a girl, and wanted very 
much to go, but he had no shoes of pre- 
sentable appearance; so he borrowed Serg't 
Graham's patent leathers, and hied himself 
off to meet his lady love. Graham had, up 
to this time, intended remaining in camp; 
but when he saw all the boys departing, he 
arrayed himself in his old sweater, and 
Squires' old shoes, and went to the dance 
along with the rest, where it is said he had 
more fun with Squires' girl than did Squires 
himself, arrayed in all his finery. This was 
ever Graham's way. 

Sunday — who does not remember Sun- 
day in camp. The Quartermaster's depart- 
ment will never forget it. All the friends we 
ever knew, and some we never knew, it 
seemed, would "bob up serenely" on a Sun- 
day morning, prepared to spend Sunday in 
Camp. Of course they would all stay for 
dinner. The morning after at this particu- 
lar camp, all that was left to start the boys 
home on was hard-tack and black coffee. 
Cormier says there was one piece of straw- 



berry shortcake left, and insists that Lieut. 
Andrus got that. Church call was sounded 
at 10:45 and Starr Gadwallader acted as Sky 
Pilot on this particular Sunday. Gamp was 
broken early on the morning of Monday, 
June 29th, and the return to the city was 
made via the Lake Shore Railroad without 
further incident. 

The absence of a number of men from 
this camp was the occasion for a military 
court of inquiry, which was called to con- 
vene on July 6th, at which all absentees 
were ordered to be present and give account 
of their absence. This was the first event 
following the camp. 

Cleveland's Centennial opened on Sun- 
day, July 19th, with rehgious services at 
Central Armory, which the company attend- 
ed in a body. 

No local military parade was ever com- 
plete without the Association Rifles, judging 
from the number of public appearances 
which the company made during 1896. 

The first appearance after the usual 
Decoration Day parade, was on Founder's 
Day, on July 22nd; again the company ap- 
peared on July 30th to assist in the celebra- 
tion of Western Reserve Day, and still again 
on Sept. 10th in the parade commemorating 
Perry's Victory at the Battle of Lake Erie. 
The boys always made a good showing on 
parade, and their soldierly appearance, en- 
hanced as it always was on parade by the 



now famous Trumpet and Drum Corps, was 
always the signal for applause, from the 
feminine element at least, w«hich hned the 
route of parade. 

On Wednesday, Aug. 19th, the company 
in order to fill a depleted treasury, engi- 
neered its third annual excursion to Put-in- 
Bay. Whether the receipts from this 
excursion accompUshed the desired result, 
the records do not state. It was the usual 
social success however. 

On November 25th the Company re- 
ported at the Armory at 9 p. m. in response 
to order No. 15, in order to sleep in the Ar- 
mory preparatory to early Thanksgiving 
day maneuvers at Willoughby, next day. 
Breakfast was served in the Armory next 
morning at 5 a. m., and at 5:20 a special car 
left the Armory over the C. P. & E. for Wil- 
loughby where exercises in minor tactics 
was the order of the day, concluding in time 
for the boys to reach home for Thanksgiv- 
ing dinner. 

A court martial was ordered to com- 
vene on Nov. 10th for the trial of all mem- 
bers of the company dehnquent in atten- 
dance, as shown by the record of the 1st 
Serg't. and orders No. 17, pubhshed for the 
information of the company and much to 
the credit of this loyal group, shows a sur- 
prisingly small number of guilty men. Out 
of seven men tried, three were found 'guilty' 
and fined; one was fined and reduced to the 
ranks from Corporal, and but one was "dis- 
honorably discharged from the service." 



At the annual meeting of the company 
at Forest City house on December 29th 1896, 
history was made, as it was at this meeting a 
resolution was passed changing the name of 
the Association Rifle Company to that of 
The Association Engineer Company; and or- 
der No. 1, issued January 12th, 1897, conveys 
this intelhgence officially to the company 
members. This same order instructs a 
board, consisting of Cap't. Beardsley, Lieuts. 
Lane and Andrus, and Corporals Morse and 
Bacon, to convene at the call of the Captain, 
to draft a suitable course of instruction in 
mihtary engineering. 

The first event worth mentioning in 
the history of the Association Engineers for 
1897 was the retirement of Dr. Dudley A. 
Smith as Company Surgeon. In announ- 
cing his retirement by official Order No. 2, 
on January 19th, 1897, Cap't. Beardsley says: 
"It is with great regret that this announce- 
ment is made as the personal relations 
between Dr. Smith and the company com- 
mander have always been of the most cor- 
dial nature; and he has moreover by his 
hearty genially and sterhng worth, endeared 
himself to every member of the command. 
A hearty Godspeed in his new undertaking 
is the sincerest wish of the company com- 
mander, and he beheves that he is joined 
therein by every member of the company," 
The same order announces the appointment 
of Dr. E. D. C. Bayne as Surgeon, to date 
from February 6th, 1897, the date of Dr. 
Smith's retirement. 



On February 22nd and 23rd after weeks 
of rehearsing, the members of the Associa- 
tion Engineer Company presented for the 
approval of their friends, their first minstrel 
entertainment. The program inflicted, in- 
cluded a chorus from the company, solos by 
some of it's would-be minstrels, and the "En- 
gineers in Gamp at Bedford" was vividly 
portrayed by Serg't Briggs and his prize drill 
squad. "The faithful Watch Dog" a clever 
skit by Messrs. Graham, Martin and Taylor, 
was a "scream." The show was pronounced 
a success, by those present; and by reason 
of the large audiences present at both per- 
formances, and the cordial reception of the 
show, it was decided to make the affair an 
annual event thereafter. 

Decoration Day, May 30th., the company 
appeared on parade as usual, and following 
the custom established after the death of 
Serg't. Hamilton, a committee from the 
company was detailed to decorate the graves 
of deceased comrades. 

On June 3rd, 1897, Order No. 8 schedul- 
ing the regular summer camp, was issued. 
This order reads as follows: 



"The Company is hereby directed to assem- 
ble at the Armory at 12:30 p. m. June 19th, 1897, 
prepared to proceed to Willoughby, O. for the 
annual camp. 

Each member will provide himself with two 
blankets, and such underwear and other acces- 
sories as he may deem necessary, but the amount 
of baggage of each member will be strictly limit- 



ed to what can be conviently carried on the 
person. The blankets and baggage of each mem- 
ber will be made up into a blanket roll accord- 
ing to the sample, which will be on exhibition 
at the armory after Tuesday, June 15th, and must 
be ready for inspection not later than 9 o'clock 
Friday evening, June 18th. 

Returning, the company will arrive at the 
Union Passenger Station at 7:00 a. m. Monday, 
June 28th, and will be dismissed immediately up- 
on arriving at the armory. 

The following program for camp is hereby 
published for the information and guidance of 
the command: 

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday a field exer- 
cise which will close at the permanent camp about 
noon of the third day. This field exercise will 
cover the country within a radius of about twelve 
miles from camp, and will be participated in by 
the Willoughby Cadets under the command of 
Lieut. Gibson. The Cadets will also take part in 
the permanent camp. The field exercises will 
include problems in field fortification and hasty 
entrenchments, stream crossings and the defense 
of localities. 

Thursday, Friday and Saturday — Target prac- 
tice, practical instruction in the construction of 
gabions, fascines, and other revetting materials, 
and a few practical illustrations of bridging ex- 
pedients. 

Sunday — the usual camp routine. Monday — 
break camp. 

Roster — of camp calls 

Reveille: 1st call 6:00 a. m. 

March 6:05 a.' m. 

Assembly 6:10 a. m- 

Mess call 6:15 a. m. 

Sick call *7:00 a. m. 

Assembly *7:35 a. m. 

Recall *9:00 a. m. 

1st Serg't call 11:00 a. m. 



Mess call 11:30 a. m. 

First call 5:00 p. m. 

Guard Mounting: Assembly 5:05 p. m. 

Adjts. call 5:15 p. m. 

Mess call 5:30 p. m. 

First call t6:30 p. m. 

Parade: Assembly t6:35 p. m. 

Adjts. call t6:45 p. m. 

Tattoo 9:45 p. m. 

Taps 10:00 p. m. 

*0n Sunday church call will be sounded at 

10:45 a. m. 

tDaily except Sunday. 

According to the schedule outUned in 
Orders No. 8, the company arrived at Wil- 
loughby on the morning of the 20th of June, 
where they were met by the Willoughby 
Cadets under command of Lieutenant Gib- 
son, and where together, they pitched their 
camp at the mouth of the Chagrin River, 
on the Lake shore. On the morning of June 
21st. after the coldest June night in the ex- 
perience of any member of the company, at 
four o'clock, a detachment of the Associa- 
tion Engineers, under Serg't Squires, after 
a hasty breakfast marched by the Plains 
road in the direction of Mentor, and from 
there across country to Little Mountain. A 
somewhat larger detachment under Lieut. 
Gibson of the Cadets, followed two hours 
later over the same route, reaching Mentor, 
eight miles away, two hours later. One of 
the scouts of the first detachment was cap- 
tured after some maeuvering in the village 
of Mentor, after which they marched across 
country by a different route than that taken 
by the first party, in the direction of Little 



Mountain sending out advance guards im- 
mediately. The first party reaching their 
destination in advance of the second, at once 
occupied positions commanding the ap- 
proach from the west, from which the at- 
tack was to be made. The attacking party 
upon arri\dng at the base of the mountain, 
discovered the outposts of the enemy, sent a 
detachment which gained their rear, causing 
them to retreat to the main body. The po- 
sition being too strong for direct attack, it 
was decided to endeavor to turn their flank, 
and to accomphsh this a detachment was 
sent out to the right and another to the left, 
while the balance of command advanced up- 
on position from the front. Sufficient time 
having been given to allow flanking parties 
to gain their positions, the remainder of the 
command advanced to the attack, and the 
engagement began. The attack on the right 
was a failure, but that on the left was a suc- 
cess, and this detachment gained the rear of 
the enemy's position. The enemy now being 
subjected to a fire from both front and rear, 
the judges, Lieut. Andrus and Serg't Taylor 
of the Engineers, declared the attacking par- 
ty to be victorious. 

Once more on Thanksgiving Day, 1897, 
the Engineers, 46 in number, and the Wil- 
loughby Cadets, 24 strong, met in Willough- 
by for field exercise; the story of this day's 
work as told in the "Willoughby Indepen- 
dent" is quoted herewith, as the most au- 
thentic record of that day's work, at our 
command: . 



"Early on the morning of Thanksgiving Day, 
the Company of Engineers were divided into two 
parts, two-thirds under command of Lieut. Lane. 
Operations commenced by starting for the junc- 
tion of Mentor and Kirtland roads where they 
awaited the arrival of the Willoughby Cadets, who 
under the command of Lieut. Law soon joined the 
Engineers. The above force was supposed to be 
the enemy and to attack the fortifications of Wil- 
loughby. Half an hour after the departure of 
Lieut. Lane and his forces, Lieut. Andrus, with 
the other one-third of the Engineers, with Cor- 
poral R. E. Burgess of the Cadets, as Scout, started 
for Sterling Hill, which was supposed to be the 
principal fort or point at which the principal bat- 
tle would take place. Lieut. Andrus started 
Serg't Graham wdth a detail and Corp. Burgess 
as guide over Mentor road as far as Ward's woods, 
with instructions to locate the enemy and ascer- 
tain their movements and intentions as far as pos- 
sible, without exposing themselves, and make his 
report at the fort with all possible despatch. As 
soon as Lieut. Andrus arrived at the fort, he post- 
ed his men on top of Sterling Hill, and along the 
bank as far north as Bunnell's Hill, and later sent 
out another patrol, who were to go east until they 
discovered the enemy, and to return a short dis- 
tance ahead of them and warn the forces at the 
fort. In the meantime Lieut. Lane and his forces 
had continued their march East on the Kirtland 
Road as far as Randalls, and the forces were sep- 
arated, part passing up through Randall and the 
rest continuing east for a short distance and mak- 
ing for west Kirtland bridge, where the two for- 
ces united and the march taken up until Waite Hill 
was reached, where they took cover by going 
through Waite's farm to a point above the south 
end Waite Hill bridge, where they came down the 
bank and arrived at the bridge without beiiig 
discovered. Here the forces were again sepa- 
rated, the Engineers in one party, and the Cadets 
under command of Lieut. Gibson, in another; the 
Cadets being instructed to go along the south side 
of the river to the ford and to come up to the fort 



by Dugway Hill, thereby flanking the enemy. This 
part of the work was accomplished in good shape, 
as they arrived at the fort without being discov- 
ered. 

Meanwhile, Lieut. Lane, with the Engineers, 
advanced through the Bunnell farm to the road- 
way, and the battle was on. The exchange of 
musketry was very lively on both sides for some 
time; but the recall was sounded, and the battle 
was over before the Cadets got into position, and 
the victory was given informally to the patrol 
under Lieut. Andrus. Had the recall been held 
off for a few minutes, the decision would prob- 
ably have been different, as the Cadets were in 
position to have riddled the forces in the fort at 
the foot of Sterling Hill, all exposed, and the Ca- 
dets under cover. However, the reports will soon 
be handed in, and the decisions of the umpires 
will be given sometime next week. 

Thus Willoughby was saved ! The attack upon 
it by the Association Engineers of Cleveland, as- 
sisted by some of the members of the Cadets, was 
defeated, owing to t^ie gallant and brave conduct 
of our defenders, under command of Lieut. 
Andrus." 

The Annual Minstrel entertainment was 
repeated on December 3rd. and 4th., to large 
audiences at both performances, when our 
former stars, with some additions, added 
new laurels to those won at the initial per- 
formances in February. 

From this time on, regular drills oc- 
cupied the time of the company, until the 
time when war was about to be declared 
with Spain, when the services of the Engi- 
neers were volunteered in defense of our 
country; and on May 20th, 1898, the Engi- 
neers were mustered into the Ohio National 



Guard, as Companies B and I of the Fifth 
Regiment, by Gen. H. B. Kingsley, Assistant 
Adjutant General, O. N. G., with about fifty 
officers and men in each company. 

Captain Beardsley commanded Com- 
pany B, with H. L. Andrus for First and 
C. B. Squires, succeeded at Columbus by 
W. J. Lawson, as Second Lieutenant. E. B. 
Lane, E. W. Briggs and W. J. Graham, were 
Captain, First and Second Lieutenants re- 
spectively of Company L 

This is as far as this History of the As- 
sociation Engineers takes us and it is to be 
hoped that some one of our Spanish war 
veterans will take up the thread from this 
point and chronicle the doings of "B and I" 
at Tampa and thereabouts. 



Companies B & I, Fifth 
Regiment, O. N. G. 



(Fourth Installment.) 



Being a chronicle by Capt. Beardsley, of the 
doings of about 47 per cent of the Company mem- 
bers who enlisted as the nucleus of Companies B 
and I of the Fifth Regiment for service in the 
Spanish-American War. 

Those of us who were actively concerned 
in this new departure will never forget those 
anxious days and nights that intervened 
between this time and June 23d, that event- 
ful day on which we started for Columbus to 
be mustered into the service of the United 
States. A few of us knew that there was no 
question as to our being mustered in, in the 
event of a second call for volunteers by the 
President, but there were a dozen other mili- 
tarj^ organizations in the city, including our 
friends, the "Grays," who "'ad 'opes," and 
we had our own troubles in getting together 
the required number of men for each com- 
pany (109 including officers), and in keep- 
ing those we did get. 



Preliminary marching orders reached us 
by telegraph on Saturday night, June 18th, 
about eleven o'clock. They directed Com- 
panies B and I to be recruited to full strength 
at once prior to muster and as we did not 
then have over eighty men in the two com- 
panies upon whom we could depend vdth 
any degree of certainty, redoubled efforts to 
procure recruits were necessary. Any man 
who could pass the Surgeon's examination 
was good enough, and it was months before 
the Association got over gasping at the mot- 
ley array of men, gleaned from Michigan 
street lodging houses, the Palisades, and 
other similar sources, which we daily par- 
aded through its corridors. 

Forty-seven men of the old company 
formed the nucleus of Companies B and I. 
The balance, with but few exceptions were 
the floatsam and jetsam of a great city. That 
they were a tough lot was evidenced by the 
fact that our comrades of the "Fifth" who 
had planned a warm reception for the "Y. M. 
C. A." boys when they arrived at Tampa, 
were too "flabbergasted" after seeing them, 
to recover in time to extend a suitable wel- 
come. 

On Tuesday, June 21st, about eleven 
P. M., a telegram from the Adjutant Gen- 
eral directed that we entrain for Columbus 
at the Union Station at eight o'clock on 
Thursday morning, June 23rd. For an hour 
before this time Company B with one hun- 
dred and one, and Company I with one hun- 



dred and five men, and officers, paraded on 
Erie street in front of the Y. M. G. A. build- 
ing prior to marching to Union Station 
where they arrived on schedule time. 

Thus did the Association Rifle Company 
justify its existence and the hopes of its 
founders and friends. Our effort was to 
make it a military organization of which we 
might be proud, and when the call to service 
came we were there "on time." 




GLEN K. SHURTLEFF 



GLEN K. SHURTLEFF 

General Secretary of the Cleveland Young Men's 
Christian Association 1893-1909. 



With a mind keenly alert to the whole- 
some interests of young men, and utterly un- 
mindful of the active criticisms of "non- 
combatants," Mr. Shurtleff made the 
organization of The Association Rifles pos- 
sible, and became its official sponsor. 

He remained the staunch friend of the 
Company until its final enUstment. He be- 
came known to us all as a respected official, 
a tolerant critic, a sympathetic adviser, an 
enthusiastic supporter, a practical friend, but 
always, from the first to the last, a magnifi- 
cent Man. 




E. W. PALMER 



E. W. PALMER 



It was largely due to the initiative and 
perseverance of Mr. E. W. Palmer, whose 
picture appears on the opposite page, that 
the Association Rifle Company was brought 
into being. 

At the time the Rifles were organized, 
Mr. Palmer was Treasurer of the Association 
and closely identified with the promotion of 
its various clubs and membership activities. 
It was his boundless enthusiasm which im- 
pressed Mr. Shurtleff and other directors of 
the Association, and it was he who finally 
convinced and persuaded his boyhood friend 
Joe Beardsley, who had just resigned a Lieu- 
tenancy in the regular army, to assume com- 
mand and undertake the direction of the 
Company. 

Mr. Palmer proved his interest and loy- 
alty repeatedly during the ups and downs 
of the Company's early history by facing 
tremendous opposition with cheerful opti- 
mism and soldierly courage. While not 
enlisted as an active member of the Com- 
pany, Mr. Palmer was early elected to hon- 
orary membership, and his enthusiastic sup- 
port and practical counsel was always 
welcomed by those in authority in the Com- 
pany's administrative council. 



Jn iMrnwmm 



HUltam ifamUtnn 
August la. 1B94 

3Ftrat Cirut^umtt 

JF^bruarg 13. 1B95 

(Hatpttral 
M^ron W. ifuttt 
Au0uat 7. laSE 

Qlrumtirtrr 

Ifarrg W, l&tnmn 
Aprti 3. iBsa 

Private 

H^fbrum-g 20. 1904 

i^rittatr 

HattiB Hufiriftnan 

C9rtii{i»r 5. 1910 

l|ouararg M? mfarr 

Sanuarg 5. 1909 



THE GENEVA PRESS 
GENEVA, O. 



Roster 



H. L. Andrus 



A 

W. T. Albon 



J. H. Bacon 
J. C. Beardsley 
Carl G. Breves 
O. E. Bentzen 
E. W. Briggs 



B 



B. S. Brintnall 

E. D. C. Bayne, M. D. 

B. H. Barch 

C. C. Bowe 
Fred H. Bluim 



John A. Carey 
C. C. Chopp 
F. D. Connor 
N. W. Connor 
Harvey L. Copeland 



F. M. Cormier 
W. W. Comstock 
M. F. Crass 
W. V. Curtiss 
H. J. Chakijian 



D 



W. B. Davis 
A. W. Davey 



H. G. Desson 
H. G. Davis 
A. A. Dietz 



E 



E. B. Emmerson 



J. L. Flicker 



M. E. Fenton 
F. L. Filkins 



J. E. FiLigman 
F. G. Felhaber 

G 



W. J. Graham Wm. Gibson 

A. E. Giloy M. Grossman 

LeRoy Gould 

H 

F. A. Heil H. T. Horner 

A. J. Hofifman E. L. Howe 

W. C. Hopkins E. T. Hurlebaus 

H. G. Hurlebaus 



0. C. Jones 



C. O. Jaster, M. D. 
Percy Jerome 



K 



H. W. Keim H. J. Kidd 

C. E. Kendel F. J. Kysela 

W. H. Kinnicutt, M. D.R. C. Kennan 
Geo. R. Kranz John Kusto, Jr. 

H. B. Knowles 



H. J. Langdon Milton W. Lusk 

F. S. Lawrence W. D. Lewis 

T. T. Long E. G. Lane 

R. W. Lusk Frank H. Leuke 

W. G. Lawson 



Jesse M. Martin 
E. H. Mowrey 
E. H. MacMillan 



M 

W. O. McGlure 
J. R. Marsh 
A. C. Morse 



E. A. Manning 



W. F. Norton 



N 
A. G. Nunvar 



A. L. Patterson 
F. S. Pelton 
J. R. Purdie 



H. H. Power 

J. J. Pierce 

C. H. Patterson 



R 

W. D. Royee 



M. J. Schneider 
Frank Schneider 
R. L. Shay 
F. A. Scott 
H. H. Smith 
Lester A. Smith 
F. J. Sommers 



F. Schardt 
H. O. Secrist 
Chas. Squire 
W. R. Seiplein 
Dudley A. Smith, M.D. 
Rev. Wilson R. Stear- 
ley 



R. R. Taylor 
P. S. Taylor 
C. W. Taylor 



R. E. Taylor 
R. L. Tappenden 
G. F. Thompson 
Geo. A. Tilton 





V 


A. G. Vaupel 


M. E. Vanderwerf 




W 


R. E. Watts 


J. C. Weider 




Z 


Theo. Zahour 


John Zahour 


Honorary Members 


S. P. Fenn 
J. H. Oram 


E. W. Palmer 

F. G. Green 



iSjLl 



